NOTE: “Empty” and “Low Ink” alerts are COMPLETELY NORMAL for all HP 74, 74XL, 75 & 75XL ink cartridges which have been refilled!  While at first this may be an unusual workflow, it does allow print operations to proceed.

Many of the HP 74, 74XL, 75 & 75XL ink cartridge alert and error messages you may encounter using refilled ink cartridges can typically be overcome using the steps provided below.  However, in some cases a marginally performing cartridge might be considered faulty by the printer. In this event, printer error bypass and HP diagnostic test procedures have been provided to help you correct and/or diagnose the cause of failure.

Support Documentation: HP 74-75 Problem Resolution (pdf)

Low Ink Level or Empty Warnings: Following ink refilling, the printer cannot track the ink levels. The ink level indicator will falsely signal as empty. In many cases nuisance alert messages may also be displayed, including ‘counterfeit cartridge’ or ‘non-genuine ink cartridge’…these are normal nuisance alerts that can just be ignored by pressing continue/dismiss/Ok. You should be able to continue with print operations until the print quality begins to fade.

HP 74/75 (74XL/75XL) Ink Cartridge Refills – Solving Errors & Warnings

Cartridge Errors (no printing allowed): The informational videos below can help you quickly self-diagnose most HP 74, 74XL, 75 & 75XL cartridge related errors or printer issues – please refer to your printer model. If your model is not listed, then refer to Advanced Diagnostics down below.

HP Photosmart C4200 & C5200-C5500 printers – Cartridge Diagnostics Test:

HP Deskjet D4200 – D4300 series printers – Cartridge Diagnostics Test:

1. Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
2. If any lights are blinking, first press Cancel to attempt to clear.
3. Press and HOLD the Power button, press Cancel button 4 times, then Resume button (down arrow) once.
4. Release the Power button. The Tap 41 diagnostic test should print.
5. Refer to video above (C4200/C5200-C5500) to analyze printed diagnostic pattern.

HP Officejet J5700 & J6400 Printer Series – Cartridge Diagnostics Test:

 

1. Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
2. If any lights are blinking, first press Cancel to attempt to clear.
3. Press the * and # keys simultaneously.
4. Enter 124 (or 123) at keypad.
5. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the System Menu. Select Ok.
6. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the ‘print-mech tap test’. Select Ok. Should display  code = 0.
7. Use the arrow keys to enter code = 41 (or just enter 41 on keypad). Select Ok. The Tap 41 diagnostic test pattern should begin to print.
8. Refer to video above (C4200/C5200-C5500) to analyze printed diagnostic pattern.

NOTE: If the printer attempts to print the diagnostic test pattern then the printer is generally considered operational and functional, if nothing is printed then the tri-color ink cartridge is either empty, clogged or electrically damaged (black ink cartridge is not used to print the test pattern). The Tap 41 test pattern is printed using CMY ink from the tri-color cartridge only. Replacing the ink cartridge is the best way to verify cartridge/printer performance.

HP Photosmart 4200-4500 & 5200-5500 Printers – Cartridge Error Bypass Instructions:

HP Officejet J5700 & J6400 Printer Series – Cartridge Error Bypass Procedure:

1. Load Letter/A4-size paper into paper feed tray.
2. If any lights are blinking, first press Cancel to attempt to clear.
3. Press the * and # keys simultaneously.
4. Enter 123 (or 124) at keypad.
5. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Information Menu. Select Ok.
6. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the ‘checksum for relock data input’. Select Ok.  LCD should display a 5-digit number after a few seconds.
7. Attempt to send a print job to printer [NOTE: with a marginally performing ink cartridge, this typically results in allowing 1 entire print job to be printed at a time].
   • NOTE: If this does not permit sustainable print operations then the cartridge has severe internal electrical damage and will need to be replaced. To diagnose the cartridge’s electrical health, refer to the diagnostic test procedures.

 

Advanced Diagnostics

To view advanced diagnostics tests for your printer, click here:

HP Printer Diagnostics

 

 

Poor Print Quality or Missing Colors:

If any streaks or missing colors appear on prints, thoroughly clean the cartridge’s electrical contacts and printer’s flex driver cable surface. If the cartridge is clogged then a warm water flush may be necessary to recover all colors. Click here for instructions.

Ink Cartridge & Service Station Cleaning

 

 

 

NOTE 1: Replacing the ink cartridge is the best way to verify cartridge/printer performance.

NOTE 2: All integrated ink cartridges being repeatedly refilled eventually do fail.  Some cartridges/printers may encounter an unavoidable mechanical or electrical failure which is unrelated to refilling.  Check for physical damage on the cartridge.  Look at the print cartridge and see if there are any cracks, tears or missing elements.  Any one of these can cause a failure.  In these cases, you will need to purchase a new cartridge and start the refill process again after it has run out.

 

 

Refill Center Locations: 

HP Ink Refill Services

 

 

HP 74 & 75 Compatible Printers:  

Deskjet D4260, Deskjet D4263, Deskjet D4268, Deskjet D4280, Deskjet D4360, Deskjet D4363, Deskjet D4368, OfficeJet J5725, OfficeJet J5730, OfficeJet J5735, OfficeJet J5738, OfficeJet J5740, OfficeJet J5750, OfficeJet J5780, OfficeJet J5783, OfficeJet J5785, OfficeJet J5788, OfficeJet J5790, OfficeJet J6405, OfficeJet J6410, OfficeJet J6413, OfficeJet J6415, OfficeJet J6424, OfficeJet J6450, OfficeJet J6480, OfficeJet J6488, PhotoSmart C4200, PhotoSmart C4205, PhotoSmart C4210, PhotoSmart C4225, PhotoSmart C4235, PhotoSmart C4240, PhotoSmart C4250, PhotoSmart C4270, PhotoSmart C4272, PhotoSmart C4273, PhotoSmart C4275, PhotoSmart C4280, PhotoSmart C4283, PhotoSmart C4285, PhotoSmart C4288, PhotoSmart C4293, PhotoSmart C4294, PhotoSmart C4300, PhotoSmart C4340, PhotoSmart C4342, PhotoSmart C4343, PhotoSmart C4344, PhotoSmart C4345, PhotoSmart C4348,PhotoSmart C4380, PhotoSmart C4382, PhotoSmart C4383, PhotoSmart C4384, PhotoSmart C4385, PhotoSmart C4400, PhotoSmart C4410, PhotoSmart C4424, PhotoSmart C4435, PhotoSmart C4440, PhotoSmart C4450, PhotoSmart C4470, PhotoSmart C4472, PhotoSmart C4473, PhotoSmart C4475, PhotoSmart C4480, PhotoSmart C4483, PhotoSmart C4485, PhotoSmart C4488, PhotoSmart C4493, PhotoSmart C4494, PhotoSmart C4500, PhotoSmart C4524, PhotoSmart C4540 PhotoSmart C4550, PhotoSmart C4575, PhotoSmart C4580, PhotoSmart C4583, PhotoSmart C4585, PhotoSmart C4588, PhotoSmart C4599, PhotoSmart C5200, PhotoSmart C5225, PhotoSmart C5240, PhotoSmart C5250, PhotoSmart C5270, PhotoSmart C5273, PhotoSmart C5275, PhotoSmart C5280, PhotoSmart C5283, PhotoSmart C5288, PhotoSmart C5290, PhotoSmart C5293, PhotoSmart C5500, PhotoSmart C5540, PhotoSmart C5550, PhotoSmart C5580, PhotoSmart D5300, PhotoSmart D5345, PhotoSmart D5360, PhotoSmart D5363, PhotoSmart D5368